September2015 WSKO Report

On July 11-12, 2015, the Shorinji Kempo Unity hosted the Shorinji Kempo Unity study session in Coral Springs, Florida, the United States. We had 88 kenshi from America, Canada, and Japan participate. The instructor for this session was Kazuhiro Kawashima, Shorinji Kempo Unity International Instructor. Over the two days, we covered various items such as goho and juho based on the principles, applications of techniques with proctors, other techniques such as rakanappou, hokai lectures to learn Kongo Zen, practical seminars to improve as examiners and judges. We had two very productive and invaluable days.

The United States is a country with three time zones between the east and the west coasts, and it was a rare occasion that 30 branches gathered in one place together. We used this opportunity to hold a U.S. Federation Branch Master Meeting and Branch Master Qualification Certificate Seminar (7 individuals participated in the Qualification Certificate Seminar).

Prior to the study session, there was a special dan qualification examination conducted by Shorinji Kempo Unity, and 4 kenshi received their 4th dan certificates at the closing of the study session.

During the study session, we also had meetings concerning the World Taikai. This will be the first time the U.S. Federation will host a World Taikai. The Taikai will take place in 2017. More details will be available soon.

We thank the kenshi and the Branch Masters that joined us. We could not have a Study Session without them.Also, we would like to express our gratitude to everyone in the South Florida branch who were so helpful with the event.